Quality | English | Melody VII | Summary | Questions and Answers

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English | Melody VII

JANDKNCERT – provides free solutions for most of the ncert books. In the library of JANDKNCERT, you will find almost all kinds of study material. In this post, you will find the summary, questions and answers of the lesson ‘Quality’, taken from the recently introduced English for JK UT students, Melody VII. It is actually a Honeycomb version of ncert that has already been introduced in other states of the Country. Some of the chapters are already been added to the English Tulip Series of Class 7th and you can check these chapters by clicking this link https://www.jandkncert.com/p/free-ncert-solutions-for-class-7th_43.html. Here we will try to provide you the easy solutions for the chapters given in this Melody VII or Honeycomb. Read the lesson from the Textbook of English Melody VII of JK or download the same as the Honeycomb series from the ncert website.

 

Unit 5
Summary | Questions | Answers |

Lesson 5. Quality (John Galsworthy)

Short Summary

         "Quality" is a short story written by John Galsworthy. The narrative revolves around a pawnbroker named Gessler, who takes great pride in his craft of repairing and restoring shoes. Despite facing financial struggles, Gessler refuses to compromise on the quality of his work. The story explores themes of craftsmanship, integrity, and the clash between artistic ideals and commercial demands. Gessler's commitment to excellence and his passion for preserving the quality of his work serve as the central focus of the narrative. The story reflects Galsworthy's observations on the changing values in society and the significance of maintaining a sense of pride and dignity in one's craftsmanship, even in the face of economic challenges.

 

Download | English | Melody VII | Textbook | PDF

 

 

Working with the Text

Answer the following questions.

 

Question 1.

What was the author’s opinion about Mr Gessler as a bootmaker?

 

Answer:

The author values Gessler's integrity and passion for his work, emphasizing the importance of these qualities in the face of societal changes. In author’s opinion about Mr. Gessler as a bootmaker is positive, and the character serves as a symbol of the author's beliefs in the value of maintaining craftsmanship and standards of excellence, even when faced with economic challenges.

Question 2.

Why did the author visit the shop so infrequently?

 

Answer:

The author visited the shop rarely because the boots made by Mr. Gessler lasted for a long time. The boots were made with high-quality leather and were extremely good looking so the author didn’t feel the need of a new pair often. Hence, he visited the shop infrequently.

 

Question 3.

What was the effect on Mr Gessler of the author’s remark about a certain pair of boots?

 

Answer:

At first, Mr Gessler looked at him for a time without replying, as if expecting him to withdraw or qualify the statement, then said that it should not have creaked if he had made them wet. He then asked the author to bring that pair of boots back to him so that he could check them and if he could not do anything he would take them off his bill.

 

Question 4.

What was Mr Gessler’s complaint against “big firms”?

 

Answer:

Mr Gessler’s complaint against big firms was that they don’t have self-respect and they don’t make a good quality boot. They get that by advertisement not by work. He further said that they would soon lose their jobs because these firms sell these boots at a low cost that they get from them.

 

Question 5.

Why did the author order so many pairs of boots? Did he really need them?

 

Answer:

Although Mr Gessler made very good quality boots, he got a very meagre amount for his work. The author felt very bad when he learned about his weak financial condition. He wanted to offer financial help to him. Therefore, he ordered so many pairs of boots. The author did not have the practical need for a large number of boots, he intended to provide financial support to Mr Gessler and to appreciate and preserve the artistry and quality craftsmanship that the bootmaker represents.

 

 

Working with Language

 

I. Study the following phrases and their meanings. Use them appropriately to complete the sentences that follow.

look after: take care of

look down on: disapprove or regard as inferior

look in (on someone): make a short visit

look into: investigate

look out: be careful

lookup: improve

look up to: admire

 

(i) After a very long spell of heat, the weather is _________ at last.

(ii) We have no right _________ to people who do small jobs.

(iii) Nitin has always _________ his uncle, who is a self-made man.

(iv) The police are _________ the matter thoroughly.

(v) If you want to go out, I will _________the children for you.

(vi) I promise to _________ on your brother when I visit Lucknow next.

(vi) _________ when you are crossing the main road.

 

Answer:

(i) After a very long spell of heat, the weather is looking up at last.

(ii) We have no right to look down people who do small jobs.

(iii) Nitin has always looked up to his uncle, who is a self-made man.

(iv) The police are looking into the matter thoroughly.

(v) If you want to go out, I will look after the children for you.

(vi) I promise to look in on your brother when I visit Lucknow next.

(vi) Look out when you are crossing the main road.

 

2. Read the following sets of words loudly and clearly.

cot — coat

cost — coast

tossed — toast

got — goat

rot — rote

blot — bloat

knot — note

 

3. Each of the following words contains the sound ‘sh’ (as in shine) in the beginning or in the middle or at the end. First speak out all the words clearly. Then arrange the words in three groups in the table on page 80.

 

 

sheep	trash	marsh		fashion
anxious	shriek	shore		fish
portion	ashes	sure		nation
shoe	pushing	polish		moustache

 

 

Initial	Medial	Final
Sheep Shriek Shore Sure Shoe	Fashion Portion Ashes Nation Pushing	Trash Marsh Polish Fish Moustache

 

 

 

4. In each, of the following words ‘ch’ represents the same consonant sound as in ‘chair’. The words on the left have this sound initially. Those on the right have it finally.

 

Speak each word, clearly.

 

choose           bench child              march cheese           peach chair             wretch charming      research

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underline the letters representing this sound in each of the following words.

(i) feature (iv) reaching (vii) riches

(ii) archery (v) nature (viii) batch

(iii) picture (vi) matches (ix) church

 

Answer:

(i) feature

(ii) archery

(iii) picture

(iv) reaching

(v) nature

(vi) matches

(vii) riches

(viii) batch

(ix) church

 

 

Speaking

 

1.  Do you think Mr Gessler was a failure as a bootmaker or as a competitive businessman?

 

Answer:

Regarding craftsmanship and the quality of his work, Mr. Gessler is not a failure. His dedication to creating high-quality, well-crafted boots is evident throughout the story. The author, who appreciates the artistry and attention to detail in Mr. Gessler's work, highlights the clash between traditional craftsmanship and the commercial demands of the market.

While Mr. Gessler may face challenges as a competitive businessman in a rapidly changing economy, the story doesn't label him as a failure. Instead, it emphasises the difficulties faced by individual artisans like him in a world that increasingly values mass production over handmade, high-quality goods. His commitment to quality and pride in his craft, even in the face of economic hardship, adds depth to his character and serves as a commentary on changing societal values.

 

2. What is the significance of the title? To whom or to what does it refer?

 

Answer:

The title "Quality" in John Galsworthy's story holds significant thematic and symbolic importance. In the context of the narrative, "Quality" refers to the standard of craftsmanship, attention to detail, and excellence in creating goods, particularly in bootmaking.

Mr. Gessler, the artisan in the story, embodies the concept of quality. His dedication to crafting high-quality boots, despite economic challenges and changing consumer preferences, is central to the narrative. The title reflects the author's exploration of the clash between traditional craftsmanship and the commercial demands of a society increasingly driven by mass production and profit.

Beyond the literal meaning related to craftsmanship, the title "Quality" also holds a broader, metaphorical significance. It invites readers to consider the concept of quality in various aspects of life, including relationships, values, and individual integrity. The story prompts reflection on the evolving definition of quality and its place in a society that may prioritize quantity and efficiency over the meticulous craftsmanship represented by Mr. Gessler.